The final segment has been cast for Snowy 2.0’s inclined pressure shaft.
The segment, cast at the Polo Flat Segment Factory, marks the completion of 7,101 world-first Force Activated Coupling System (FACS) segments for the Australian pumped hydro storage project.
Clough, part of the Future Generation JV building the project, said FACS was revolutionising tunnel construction, replacing traditional linings with a safer, high-pressure-tolerant system using innovative steel pin-socket couplers.
Site engineer Bahador Dastorian said production of the final FACS segment was more than a milestone. “It’s a revolution in hydropower construction and a testament to what’s possible when advanced engineering meets dedicated teamwork,” he said.
Clough said it was an achievement that would inspire future projects worldwide.
The Polo Flat factory will now turn to production of the 25,000 segments that will be lined by the project’s newest TBM. The Herrenknecht TBM passed its Factory Acceptance Test in June.
Future General JV, comprising Webuild and Clough, is delivering the civil and electro-mechanical works for Snowy 2.0. The project will link two existing Snowy Scheme dams, Tantangara and Talbingo, through underground tunnels to depths of up to 1km and an underground power station with pumping capabilities.
Snowy 2.0 will provide an additional 2,200 megawatts of dispatchable, on-demand generating capacity and approximately 350,000MW hours of large-scale storage to the National Electricity Market.
